Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for yet again accepting my request for an Adjournment matter to be discussed. It is a useful opportunity for Senators to question Ministers on important matters relayed to us by people, as we do not have the rights evident in the Dáil.

Today's issue arises from a parliamentary question in the Dáil which revealed to my colleague, Deputy Dara Calleary, that there were no IDA site visits to County Meath last year. That is disappointing because County Meath has a number of significant advantages over many other parts of the country, including a very highly-skilled workforce that, by and large, commutes to other counties for employment. We also have some large industrial properties, most notably the former Quinn premises in Navan, which badly needs a tenant to provide jobs and keep the economy moving.

The excuse is often given that Meath is not in the Border region and cannot avail of the same grants but that ignores the fact that only last year, Coca-Cola - on its own initiative and after many years of planning - opened its European, Middle East and Asian headquarters in County Meath. As I understand it, there were no grants available to the company but the other factors that encourage companies to locate in County Meath appealed to it. As I mentioned, those factors include a skilled workforce, the availability of premises, particularly in the urban parts of the county, and the convenient distance to Dublin. Dublin Airport may as well be a local airport for County Meath and there are also convenient connections to local transport hubs and the transport network in Meath, which includes notable motorways, rail and other modes of transport, including buses.

Meath has many advantages, with its educated workforce crying out for jobs in the local area. There are many advantages to locating employment in Meath and attracting multinationals to the county. If people have jobs there will be fewer people commuting to Dublin and energy costs will be reduced. People would also be happier if they worked closer to home. It is very disappointing that IDA Ireland does not see it as appropriate to bring companies to the county. Alltech in Dunboyne is a major international company and the Minister would be familiar with it.

There are so many companies willing to work in Meath but the people of the county are demanding that IDA Ireland does its bit to bring in people. The fact that there was no site visit at all last year tells me that organisation is simply not interested in County Meath, which is disappointing. I urge the Minister to change that position.